JOYO Zombie-II BanTamp XL Series Mini Amp Head 20 Watt Preamp 2 Channel Hybrid Tube Guitar Amplifier with Bluetooth

I ordered this amp to downsize from a 100 watt head to something more appropriate for my home. The reviews and videos I watched about this amp were spot-on and I couldn't be happier with how it performs. The main feature I needed was an effects loop so that I could plug other modellers into the effects return and send the audio out through my 1x12 cabinet. I've reached the point where I am stale on emulated guitar speakers and I want an actual speaker with a microphone in my signal chain. Since this amp handles 8 ohm and 16 ohm speakers, I was covered and many others should be as well. You can also use the headphones as a line out since it has an emulated cabinet in that signal, but I don't think it sounds the greatest, and I wouldn't use it in a mix.I was expecting to be disappointed with the lack of traditional tone stack controls, but what's cool is you can come up with some really decent high-gain tones with different combinations of the gain, tone and volume controls. I have found some really nice settings fairly quickly just trying out different knob positions.I've used it with a guitar directly plugged in, and I also have re-amped several sources through it to take advantage of this amp's great tones. I think using it to re-amp has been more fun since I can set up loop points in my mixes, then adjust the 3 knobs until the guitar tone sits nicely within the mix.Don't be fooled by the 20 watt power size....this little lunch box gets LOUD. I have mine running through my speaker at full volume in my isolation box and it does its job well. I don't play out or in a band, so I don't know how it would function in that area, but for home use it is more than ample.In case you're wondering, since it has a solid state power amp, you do not need to have it connected to a speaker at all times. You are free to use just headphones with it if you prefer.I haven't tried the bluetooth line in stuff yet as I have never done that with any amp, but I assume it would work just fine. It also comes with a foot switch to change amp channels if you want to do that.After working with this amp for a few days and enjoying how it sounds, I want to also get the Jackman (JCM 800) version as well to have most heavy sounds covered between this and the Jackman.For the price point, I am not certain you'll find a better deal that has so much to offer. I sweated this purchase for far too long and I'm glad I took advantage of an Amazon sale to get it for around $150 USD.

I have owned a ridiculous number of amps, headphones, instruments, effects, and various audio devices over the years. The nicest sound has very often come from valve based systems and products.So I tried the Joyo Tweedy. I wanted a US/Fender-esque amp head, and this one had the right price meets features kind of ratio. The Tweedy was fine. It didn't blow me away, but it was cool, and I was on the fence about returning it. It didn't sell me on these bantamps in general. It was just another device that I tried.But on a whim, I tried the Blue Jay.Holy bananas, this thing is in different class, as far as my ears are concerned. It's sweet, clean, loads of headroom, nice and punchy-loud, and just a pleasure to listen to and play through.This one is staying. I think I might like this better than my PRS MT15. It's just so honey-dripped clean. At ~$150 it is an absolute must buy. And I had heard somewhere that this one was the least impressive of the bunch. I think whomever said that doesn't understand the luscious clean sound this amp can achieve. I don't even care about the drive channels in these bantamps, I'm using my own pedals anyways, and as a pedal platform this amp is legit af.My only complaint is that the Tweedy has a 1/4" headphone jack, and this Blue Jay has only 1/8". That's a minor quibble. So I guess technically it's 4.9/5 stars.If you're considering this Blue Jay and amp, I urge you to try it. I absolutely love the sound, this beaut is staying.

Sounds OK for what it is. I like tube amps/sound. This sounds better than a 100% solid state IMHO. At least it does not sound like a 10lb bumble bee the way many SS amps do. But I do wish I had gotten a higher gain model. I had read that the higher gain models were kind of tricky to play when you are needing LESS gain. Some reviews I have seen recommended this and if you need higher gain, add a pre amp booster. I.e. it is easier to add than to take away.I play a variety of music. And figure that I will add the preamp as mentioned for when I need it. But trying to do so with more tubes is not as easy as they are simply not as available. I have ordered a kit to build my own tube preamp. But it was not really designed for guitar, so I have no idea what sound will come from it.It would be nice if there was a little more control. But then you just get into a bigger amp...and more $. So I think the key here is to understand what to expect. The tone sounds pretty good for what it is, but this is NOT a Marshall stack.As for the output volume, it is plenty for practice. And depending on your speakers, you could possibly get enough to play in a small band as long as you will be using a mic to mix your guitar in the PA. But that would be pushing this amp a bit. 20 watts output in a SS amp just does not have the volume of the same wattage from a tube. Or that is my take anyway.I would not shy away from this amp for any reason. But I do advise finding as many video reviews as possible and watching/listening. Preferably to ones that do not also have a lot of effects boxes clouding up the sound. You want to hear the amp...not all of their effects. Hopefully, you will be able to decide on which model is right for you.

It took a little fooling around with the knobs but have found a sound that I think is amazing. I love the flexibility of this little amp. Running it through an Eminence British 12" in a Peavey classic 30 cabinet. I just need a little reverb now.

This Joyo Bantamp XL amp is an excellent amp. Easy to use, sounds excellent for metal, rock, and even the clean tone is great...It's loud when you want it to be, can handle small venues and band practices when use through a 2 or 4 speaker cabinet, and has a headphone jack for night time playing...Price to performance this Joyo is a BEAST!!!